Analytical Paragraph-Part I
Charts, Graphs
An analytical paragraph is a form of descriptive
writing which is written on the basis of an
analysis of a given chart, graph, data, outline,
What is an clues, table, etc.
Analytical The paragraph must use clear and crisp
Paragraph? language along with providing complete details
of the chart given in the question.
The analytical paragraph has to be written in
around 100-120 words.
Types of Tasks
Line/Bar Maps and
Pie charts
Graph Diagrams
Cues Processes
Features of an Analytical Paragraph
It should be brief It should state facts
It is necessary to It should mention
and comprehensive that are provided
make use of simple figures and
(include complete by the
and accurate quantities
information) at the chart/graph/cue
language. appropriately.
same time. etc.
It is appropriate to
No personal It would be
use the same tense
observation or preferable to use
throughout the
response should be the passive form of
analytical
provided. the verb.
paragraph.
How to structure an Analytical Paragraph?
Introduce the graph
Give the detail Give an overview
Useful
Vocabulary
- To do this, paraphrase the title of the graph.
- Put in a time frame if there is one.
Useful Phrases:
• i. The chart given above describes…
Introduce the • ii. The table suggests…
Graph • iii. The line graph shows…
• iv. The data given provides information about…
• v. The pie chart illustrates …
•
- State what the main trend or trends in the graph are.
- Don’t give details here.
- Just look for something that describes what is happening
overall.
Useful Phrases:
Give an i. a pattern of growth
striking increase,
ii. rapidly doubled iii. Skyrocketed iv.
Overview v. Peaked vi. soaring rates vii. Declined viii. Plummeted
ix. Leveled off x. Stagnated xi. Fluctuated
xii. starting to rise
xiii. starting to fall
xiv. drop down
xv. slightly, etc.
•
- Give more specific detail in the body paragraphs.
- Identify any similarities and differences.
- Divide it into two to three supporting statement.
Useful Phrases:
For describing quantities, use various styles like- 48% of, one-
third of, nearly one-fourth of, almost 80%, majority, on
average, twice as much, almost equal, the highest, the lowest,
Give the Detail very close to 2%, roughly, approximately 5% of, just under
three percent, etc.
For establishing a relationship or contrast, use phrases and
words like- relationship between, similarly, in contrast with, in
comparison to, but in the opposite case, however, whereas,
when it comes to, as opposed to, while, striking difference,
noticeable difference, etc.
For the conclusion and other connecting phrases use- overall,
subsequently, in all, in a nutshell, for the chart given,
in short, striking changes, including, therefore, etc.
Introduction
Line Graph
The given line graph shows
changes in the amount and type
of fast food consumed by
Australian teenagers from 1975 to
2000.
Summarize the information by
selecting and reporting the main
features and make comparisons
where relevant.
The line graph compares the fast food consumption
of teenagers in Australia between 1975 and 2000, a
period of 25 years.
Supporting statement 1
The given line graph shows
changes in the amount and type
of fast food consumed by
Australian teenagers from 1975 to
2000.
Summarize the information by
selecting and reporting the main
features and make comparisons
where relevant.
Overall, the consumption of fish and chips declined
over the period, whereas the amount of pizza and
hamburgers that were eaten increased.
Supporting statement 2
The given line graph shows
changes in the amount and type
of fast food consumed by
Australian teenagers from 1975 to
2000.
Summarize the information by
selecting and reporting the main
features and make comparisons In 1975, the most popular fast food with Australian
where relevant. teenagers was fish and chips, being eaten 100 times a
year. This was far higher than Pizza and hamburgers,
which were consumed approximately 5 times a year.
However, apart from a brief rise again from 1980 to
1985, the consumption of fish and chips gradually
declined over the 25 year timescale to finish at just
under 40.
Conclusion
The given line graph shows
changes in the amount and type
of fast food consumed by
Australian teenagers from 1975 to
2000.
Summarize the information by
selecting and reporting the main
features and make comparisons In sharp contrast to this, teenagers ate the other two fast foods at
where relevant. much higher levels. Pizza consumption increased gradually
until it overtook the consumption of fish and chips in 1990. It
then levelled off from 1995 to 2000. The biggest rise was seen in
hamburgers as the occasions they were eaten increased sharply
throughout the 1970’s and 1980’s, exceeding that of fish and
chips in 1985. It finished at the same level that fish and chips
began, with consumption at 100 times a year.
The line graph compares the fast food consumption of
teenagers in Australia between 1975 and 2000, a period of
25 years. Overall, the consumption of fish and chips
declined over the period, whereas the amount of pizza and
hamburgers that were eaten increased.
In 1975, the most popular fast food with Australian
teenagers was fish and chips, being eaten 100 times a year.
Full Model Answer This was far higher than Pizza and hamburgers, which were
consumed approximately 5 times a year. However, apart
from a brief rise again from 1980 to 1985, the consumption
of fish and chips gradually declined over the 25 year
timescale to finish at just under 40..
In sharp contrast to this, teenagers ate the other two fast
foods at much higher levels. Pizza consumption increased
gradually until it overtook the consumption of fish and
chips in 1990. It then levelled off from 1995 to 2000. The
biggest rise was seen in hamburgers as the occasions they
were eaten increased sharply throughout the 1970’s and
1980’s, exceeding that of fish and chips in 1985. It finished
at the same level that fish and chips began, with
consumption at 100 times a year.
Sample
Vocab for
line graph
Introduction
Bar Graph
The chart gives information
about the most common sports
played in New Zealand in 2002.
Summarise the information by
selecting and reporting the main
features, and make comparisons
where relevant.
The bar graph provides information about the most
Common sports played in New Zealand in 2002. It
gives figures for both boys and girls.
Supporting statement 1
The chart gives information
about the most common sports
played in New Zealand in 2002.
Summarise the information by
selecting and reporting the main
features, and make comparisons
where relevant.
The graph clearly shows that their participation in
sports is fairly equal. However, their sporting
preferences tend to be different.
Supporting statement 2
The chart gives information
about the most common sports
played in New Zealand in 2002.
Summarise the information by
selecting and reporting the main
features, and make comparisons According to the graph, the most popular sport among
where relevant. girls is netball, with participation rates reaching 25 per
cent. A similar percentage of boys prefer soccer, which
is clearly their favourite sport. Ten per cent of boys also
enjoy playing cricket but hardly any girls take part in
this game. While swimming is popular among both
boys and girls, fewer boys participate in this sport -
about 13 per cent compared to approximately 22 per
cent of girls.
Conclusion
The chart gives information
about the most common sports
played in New Zealand in 2002.
Summarise the information by
selecting and reporting the main
features, and make comparisons
where relevant.
Other sports such as tennis, basketball and martial arts
have lower levels of popularity, and a significant
percentage of boys and girls say they enjoy sports not
referred to on the chart.
The bar graph provides information about the most
Common sports played in New Zealand in 2002. It gives
figures for both boys and girls and clearly shows that their
participation in sports is fairly equal. However, their
sporting preferences tend to be different.
According to the graph, the most popular sport among girls
is netball, with participation rates reaching 25 per cent. A
similar percentage of boys prefer soccer, which is clearly
Full Model Answer their favourite sport. Ten per cent of boys also enjoy playing
cricket but hardly any girls take part in this game. While
swimming is popular among both boys and girls, fewer
boys participate in this sport - about 13 per cent compared
to approximately 22 per cent of girls.
Other sports such as tennis, basketball and martial arts
have lower levels of popularity, and a significant percentage
of boys and girls say they enjoy sports not referred to on the
chart.
Information Based Question
Clearly
identify and
analyze the
most
important
features
Follow
What language
conventions- Develop clear
Steps to
characteristics does sentence
formation, writing a
ideas, organize
them logically
a well-articulated grammar and
variety of
good
piece
and connect
them properly
with each
analytical structures
other
paragraph display?
Support the
main points of
the
trends/argum
ents strongly
HOMEWORK
The following table provides details about internet activities for six categories across different age groups. Analyse the
table carefully and fill in the gaps with the appropriate phrases/vocabulary to complete the analytical paragraph.
Thank you